996 won't start and goes crazy when I try
 

Hi. Last night I replaced the battery in my key and it seems to work fine and opens the car as it should so the issue I have may not relate to changing the key's battery but is strange that I have an issue right after doing so. Anyway, when I now try and start the car the whole car goes a little nuts i.e. the windows go down a little, the read spoiler goes up a little the lights on the dash flash but the engine does not turn over. I do not seem to have a flat battery as the heater and stereo both come on.

Could someone please help as I need the car tomorrow morning!!! Could it be something to do with the key (have tried the other key now and that yields the same result) or could it be a nearly flat battery or could the electrics have just gone haywire?

Thanks in advance.

Sounds like the alternator. there are many threads about alternator symptoms. Here is one:

https://www.6speedonline.com/forums/...sues-help.html

Let us know what the resolution is.

Thanks.

If I cannot start it should I get it towed to a garage or should I look at using a trickle charger to get it to fire up?

I just went out to try it again and there is a weird noise coming from behind the glove box when the ignition is turned to on and then the car electrics go crazy when I try and start it. Might have to call the RAC and get them to look at it.

You didn't lose the little glass capsule in the key did you? I think that is what lets the computer start the car.

I don't think so. My other key isn't working either now. I'm hoping it is some easy fix that I have overlooked. Will just have to call a garage in the morning and ask.

"when I now try and start the car the whole car goes a little nuts i.e. the windows go down a little, the read spoiler goes up a little the lights on the dash flash but the engine does not turn over. I do not seem to have a flat battery as the heater and stereo both come on."

The symptoms you describe sound like a faulty ignition switch to me.

Sounds like your car is a cabriolet and the alarm control unit got wet. Also will cause your battery to die.

Low battery can cause symptoms like this. Not enough voltage to crank the engine but enough to make lights go crazy. It happened to me.

Low battery or faulty ignition switch. When my battery was on its death bed, the car made a weird "clackity-clackity" sound, wouldn't start, but lights, instrument panel, and accessories would work for a while.

Maybe you could try a jump start (according to the manual, you should attach the cables in the engine compartment - not directly to the battery). If it starts with a jump, its definitely the battery.

+1 on low battery!

Hmmm- it will be interesting to hear the resolution. My car had the same symptoms and started via jump a few times so I assumed it was the battery but alas, it was not. I am betting alternator on this one.

It did end up being the battery. Jumped it and it was fine but found out the battery in it is a bit too small for the car and so was advised to get a bigger more appropriate one or I would find that it run down very very quickly when not in use, especially in the cold weather.

Glad you were able to fix the issue. Thanks for the follow-up.

good job. I had same issue, replaced battery and alternator. I put in a new battery every 15K. good luck.